Today in inventions that are simultaneously adorable and tragic: UK insurance company More Th>n has prototyped an automated stairlift to carry obese dogs up tough flights of stairs.

The world's first doglift, called "Stair of the Dog 2022," was conceived in response to a doggie obesity epidemic that the company says could see 52% of the UK's dogs dangerously overweight by 2022. The device, which a pooch can activate with a paw-press, is expected to cost $8,000.

"This is a vision of the future we really don't want to see become a reality," says More Th>n's John Ellenger, who suggests dog owners show their canine friends some love without giving them "inappropriate and fat-laden foods."